bradenton Archives - Parkwood Dental

What to Expect from Invisalign in Bradenton, FL

June 4, 2018 by Parkwood Dental

While most people associate wearing braces with children, there are also many adults that have teeth that are crooked and out of alignment. However, wearing metal braces can be difficult for an adult. They are impossible to hide and can be inconvenient. Over recent years, many people in Bradenton, FL have decided to try an innovative solution: Invisalign. This treatment is available from specialist dental and orthodontic facilities such as Parkwood Dental.

What the Process Involves

If you decide to opt for Invisalign in Bradenton, FL, it is best to familiarize yourself with what to expect. The whole process is pretty straightforward and simple. Once you’ve completed the treatment, you can look forward to many benefits, including improved appearance, a higher level of self-esteem, and a far more practical solution to deal with damaged and misaligned teeth. The basic process involved when you choose Invisalign is:

An Initial Assessment

Your first step when considering having Invisalign in Bradenton, FL is to visit a specialist clinic to have an initial assessment. The dentist will need to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for this treatment and the process begins with an examination of your teeth.

Creating the Trays

Once an examination has been carried out and the dentist has decided you are suitable for Invisalign, the next step is to get comprehensive records together. This includes scans, dental impressions, photos, and more. These are then sent to a specialist laboratory so that computer technology can be used to create the trays you will be wearing to reposition your teeth.

Wearing the Aligners

When you have Invisalign in Bradenton, FL, you have to wear the trays for a set amount of time. Your aligners can be removed, but only for short periods at a time. It’s important to keep them clean so you can reduce the risk of getting cavities.

Ongoing Visits

While you are having the treatment, you will need to visit our dentist regularly so that we can make sure everything is going smoothly.

Getting Invisalign in Bradenton, FL

If you are interested in trying Invisalign, your first step is to make an appointment for an assessment at Parkwood Dental in East Bradenton, FL or West Bradenton, FL. Contact us today to book an initial assessment!

Teeth Whitening in Bradenton and Preventing Stains

May 7, 2018 by Parkwood Dental

There any many over-the-counter options available when it comes to teeth whitening, but do they really work? In short, the answer is no. Parkwood Dental proudly offers professional teeth whitening in Bradenton. The treatments are very safe and effective, and during your treatments, we’re also able to educate you on ways to prevent further stains.

How Your Teeth Become Stained

Beverages such as coffee, tea, and acidic juices can stain your teeth. The same is true for certain medications (antibiotics), smoking, and highly-pigmented foods. The natural tooth color ranges from light yellow to reddish light yellow. But with age and regular consumption of foods and drinks known to stain the enamel, which is the outer layer of the tooth, the result can be a dingy appearance and darker color.

Further aggravating the situation is the presence of plaque and tartar, which makes it easy for stains to latch onto teeth. Also, the cracks in the enamel expose the dentin, which is the interior of the tooth that is quick to absorb food color.

Amazing Results with Teeth Whitening in Bradenton

The very best option for teeth whitening is having a professional whiten your teeth using a safe and effective treatment. The procedure is performed in the comfort of our office in Bradenton, and the results can be truly incredible.

DIY Teeth Whitening to Avoid

Unlike hair and nails, with teeth whitening, you’re dealing with a living tissue and so you must proceed with caution when doing any DIY teeth whitening treatment. Just to be on the safe side, it’s never a good idea. Some online how-tos advocate the use of lemons or strawberries mixed with baking soda to whiten one’s teeth. While they may sound like an easy, innocuous way to get a celebrity smile, take note that the acid from these fruits can actually erode your enamel, predisposing you to tooth decay, and paradoxically, to an even duller appearance of the teeth.

Enjoying a Brighter Smile

To learn more about teeth whitening, consult our team at Parkwood Dental in East and West Bradenton. We provide a wide range of cosmetic dentistry treatments and dental services. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!

Am I a Good Candidate for Root Canal Treatments in Bradenton, FL?

March 5, 2018 by Parkwood Dental

A root canal is a dental treatment done to save a tooth by removing a damaged or inflamed nerve. It is often an alternative to extraction. The visible part of the tooth is the hard enamel. Beneath it is a softer substance called dentin, and beneath that is the pulp that contains nerves and blood vessels, some of which go all the way down the roots of the teeth. In severe cases of tooth decay, the pulp gets infected. During a root canal, the dentist will remove the inflamed pulp.

What happens during a root canal?

Root canals are performed by a dentist or a specialist called an endodontist who concentrates on treating disorders of the pulp. If they suspect the patient might need a root canal, they will start by examining the affected tooth and taking an X-ray of it.

If the patient is very scared, the dentist may provide an anti-anxiety medication or an oral sedative. In most cases, the dentist will administer a local anesthetic. They will remove the infected parts. The dentist will disinfect the remaining part of the tooth and fill the canals and pulp chamber with a rubbery filling to strengthen the tooth. The dentist will further protect the tooth by implanting a crown or filling. The treated tooth will work like a normal tooth afterward.

Why would somebody need a root canal?

People need root canals when they develop an infection or inflammation of the pulp inside their teeth. That infection can have a variety of causes that include the following:

Extensive decay
Crack or chip in the tooth
Tooth weakened by multiple dental procedures
Defective crown

If the infection or inflammation goes untreated, it can lead to pain or an abscess. The inflammation or infection won’t go away on its own; it will just get worse and cause more problems.

How can you tell if you might need a root canal?

While some patients don’t experience any symptoms, most experience at least some of the following:

Prolonged sensitivity to cold or heat
Discoloration of the tooth
Pain
Sensitivity to chewing or touch
Swelling around the affected tooth
Tenderness and drainage of the neighboring lymph glands
Other gum and bone problems

Benefits of undergoing a root canal

A root canal enables the dentist to save the tooth and protect neighboring teeth and tissues from the infection. It is actually less complicated than an extraction which would require the dentist to make and install an implant to replace the lost tooth. The patient would have to schedule follow-up appointments to have the implant fitted and installed.

Contrary to the stereotype, a root canal is actually less uncomfortable than a tooth extraction. If the patient follows practices good dental hygiene, their treated tooth can last the rest of their life.

The crowns and fillings used in root canals are tooth-colored and thus look quite natural. The treated tooth will look like the rest of the patient’s teeth.